Flying taxi maker Lilium lays off 1,000 workers and ceases operations

Lilium, which is developing flying taxis that can take off and land vertically, has gone out of business. like TechCrunch German media notes Grunderzein It was the first publication to report that it laid off 1,000 workers a few days ago after failing to secure more funding to further develop its technology. Patrick Nathen, the company’s co-founder, announced that the company had suspended all operations LinkedIn. He said, referring to the co-founders, that they could no longer continue working on their “shared belief in green aviation,” at least under Lilium.

The German company has been testing VTOL electric taxis for some time. Her car took off for the first time First return flight in 2017and completed the first phase of flight tests in 2019. Lilium was able to prove that its VTOL air taxis are capable of flying at speeds of more than 100 kilometers per hour, although… Lilium Jet model It was supposed to be able to travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and have a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Lilium has struggled financially over the past year, but its CEO is said to be… He remained optimistic About the ability to secure sufficient financing in the past month. Grunderzein He said a small number of people will remain employed to help with the liquidation. The company has not yet announced what will happen to its technology and the rest of its assets, but its patent attorney, Fabian Mueller, He wrote in another It manages the transfer of Lilium’s intellectual property.

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